Grate.



PATENTED MAR. 5} 1907.

J. DEMARE$T.

GRATE.

APPLICATION FILED 1mm, 1905.

mmmmummm DEEUEEDU.

Imvento 2". Jbkzvlieinwres,

UNrrED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratenteci March 5, 1907.

Application filed February 4, 1905. Serial No. 244.143.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN DEMAREST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broome and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Grates, of which the following description,

in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention consists in improvements in grates, and relates more particularly to attachments in the nature of locking or controlling devices of the same general character as those described in my prior patents, Nos. 778,118 and 77 ,119.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, which is here submitted for illustrative purposes, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a fragmentary plan view showing one form of locking device applied to the grate-shanks. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; Fig. 3, a front or end view; and Fig. 4. is a partial vertical section, taken through the locking device and grate-bar, to which the shaker is shown applied in Fig. 3.

In the drawings I have shown three grate members a a a but it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to any particular number. The shape and construction of the grate member is immaterial, the form shown in the drawings being chosen for illustrative purposes only. The construction of the parts associated with each grate member is substantially the same, and those belonging to grate member a only need be specifically referred to.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention the grate member a has as eXteriorlyarranged squared shank b, adapted to be engaged by the hub d of the shaker e, by means of which the corresponding grate member a may be rocked for agitation.

When free from the shaker, the grate member is restricted to a definite position by a locking device. The latter in the embodiment here shown consists of the gravity-actuated vertically-sliding plate movable between suitable guideways g. The plate has its lower end notched or recessed to fit the sides of the squared shank, the recess being deep enough to securely hold the said shank from rocking movement when the plate drops down to its lowermost position. Thus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the plates f and having dropped over the squared shanks b and b the latter are locked in a fixed position, which position herein corresponds to the normal horizontal position of their respective grate members.

Each sliding locking-plate is provided with a projecting rib h, having a rounded lower corner in such a position and of such a shape as to be engaged by the flange i upon the inner face of the shaker-hub d when the latter engages the shank. The resulting wedging action raises the locking-plate away from the shank, releasing the latter and permitting agitation thereof by the shaker.

In order to insure the assumption of a substantially horizontal position by the grate member after its agitation has been completed, I have provided means for permitting the withdrawal of the shaker only in a certain position or positions of the shank. When the shaker is withdrawn in one of those positions, the grate member is immediately locked in that position and there remains until the shaker is again applied to its shank. This is accomplished in the illustrated embodiment of my invention by undercutting or notching the rib h at its base to form the shoulder 1', Fig. 2, which overhangs the flange i when the latter is fully seated upon the shank. This, while permitting free os cillation of the shaker for agitation of the grate, prevents withdrawal thereof excepting when one of the two notches I." in the shakerflange is brought into alinement with the rib h. These notches are so located as to require a substantially horizontal position of the grate member to permit withdrawal of the shaker.

Until the shaker is applied, each grate unit remains locked in a horizontal position by its gravity-locking slide f. If it is desired to apply the shaker, for example, to the shank b, one of the notches k in the flange thereof is slipped over the rounded corner of the rib it upon the locking-slide and the shaker forced on to the shank. This movement raises the slide f into the position shown in Fig. 3 and releases the shank. The grate member and the latter may then be freely shaken, the flange of the shaker moving in the undercut or notched portion at the base of the rib It. When agitation has been com- IIO pleted, the shaker is moved to bring a notch 7c in alinement with the rib h, which insures a horizontal position of the grate member, and the shaker is then withdrawn. When this occurs, the weight of the slide drops it back into place and causes it to lock the grate member in its assumed. position. Each or any of the other grate members may be agitated in a similar manner; but in each instance after agitation it is compelled to assume a horizontal position and is there immediately locked on withdrawal of the shaker. Upward movement of the slidefis limited by the stop Z. lt will be seen that this simple locking device, which herein consists of a single gravity-actuated member, effectually locks each grate member in a predetermined position and that this is accomplished by the mere withdrawal of the shaker after completion of agitation. It will be seen also that this is accomplished in entire independence of the remaining grate members and without reference to what is subsequently done with the shaker, the same result being accomplished no matter how many or how few grate members are employed.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to its application herein shown, nor to the illustrated details thereof, but that many modifications in its use and construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim 1. The combination with a rocking grate member having a shank of angular crosssection, of a gravity-actuated sliding plate mounted vertically above the shank and having a notch in its lower end normally Q to embrace the shank and hold the grate member 111 given position and also having a vertically-arranged outwardly-projecting rib the lower portion of which is undercut to form a shoulder, and a shaker having a flange to cooperate with said sliding plate to move it out of engagement with the shank and maintain engagement with the shoulder to prevent removal of the shaker.

2. The combination with a rocking grate member having a shank of angular crosssection, of a gravity-actuated sliding plate mounted vertically above the shank and having a notch in its lower end normally to embrace the shank and to hold the grate member in given position and also having a vertically arranged outwardly projecting rib the lower portion of which is undercut to form a shoulder, and a shaker having a notched flange adapted to engage the sliding plate and lift it out of engagement with the shank and to be engaged by the shoulder of said plate while the grate member is being rocked, the notches in the flange adapted to be registered with said rib to permit the withdrawal ol the shaker only when the grate member is horizontal.

3. The combination with a rocking grate member having a shank of angular cross-section, of a gravity-actuated sliding plate mounted vertically above the shank and having a notch in its lower end normally to embrace the shank and to hold the grate member in given position and also having a vertically arranged outwardly projecting rib the lower portion of which is undercut, and a shaker having a notched flange adapted to engage the sliding plate and lift it out of engagement with the shank and to be engaged by said plate while the grate member is being rocked and until the notch in the flange is alined with the rib on the plate, at which. time the shaker may be removed and the plate will again and by gravity engage and lock the grate member in given position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN DEMAREST.

lVitnesses:

FRED XV. MoMAHoN, DELBERT 0-. FREEMAN. 

